BBC Learning English - The English We Speak / Let loose

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Introduction

An expression that means relax and celebrate. Learn more here.

Transcript

Beth
Welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Beth.

Feifei
And I'm Feifei.

Beth
We have an expression that means relax, and often celebrate, particularly after a time of stress or pressure and the phrase is 'let loose'.

Feifei
Hmm, loose is the opposite of tight. So, 'let loose'? Beth, can you give us an example?

Beth
Yes, well Feifei, I know you've been training for a marathon recently, and you've been eating very healthily. But I imagine that once the run is done, you'll let loose and maybe have some unhealthy food?

Feifei
Absolutely! I've been craving chocolate but haven't had any for a few months!

Beth
And speaking of food, I recently worked with some actors, and, after we wrapped on filming, we all let loose and celebrated by ordering pizzas!

Feifei
Don't talk about pizza. I haven't had one for ages!

Beth
Sorry. Let’s hear some more examples.

Examples
After his exams were done, he could finally celebrate and let loose.

You always dress so smartly. Let loose! Jeans are much comfier than those suit trousers.

After months of being on a diet, I let loose on holiday and had a few ice creams.

Feifei
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we're learning the expression 'let loose', which is a way of saying relax, often with a celebration.

Beth
Now, you can let loose, but you can also let a person loose, and that has a different meaning! If you let someone, or something, loose, you give them freedom.

Feifei
Like how I let you loose on that video we've been filming. It's crazy. I think we need to film again!

Beth
Yes, maybe… let's go then!

Feifei
Bye!

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